A recent study conducted by researchers at the State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse has found that certain sexual lubricants can harm sperm and impede pregnancy.
For the study, the researchers pitted five different types of sexual lubricant against four common oils in order to ascertain their effect on sperm. The researchers used semen samples from 22 healthy donors, which would examined over the course of an hour after being exposed to each product.
Researchers found that the sexual lubricants would impair the sperm’s overall movement and their ability to move forward. When exposed to canola oil or baby oil, there were no noticeable changes to the sperm. Sesame oil, however, caused an immediate, drastic decline in sperm movement. On the opposite hand, mustard oil caused the sperm to become hyperactive and stayed that way for over an hour.
The researchers concluded that sexual lubricants can be very useful, but should be avoided when a couple is trying to conceive.
For women experiencing vaginal dryness who want to get pregnant, the researchers recommended baby oil or mineral oil.
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.